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LETTER 



Hon. S. p. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury, 



LOYAL NATIONAL LEAGUE. 



Wasiiingtox, April 9, 1863. 

Gentlemen: Imperative demands on my time compel me 
to deny myself the gratification of attending the meeting to 
Avliich you kindly invite me. 

Yon will meet to send words of cheer to onr brave generals 
and soldiers in the field ; to rebuke treason in our midst, giving, 
in the garb of peace, aid and comfort to treason in the panoply 
of war ; to maintain inviolate the integrity of the national ter- 
ritory, and the supremacy of the national constitution and laws; 
to strengthen the hands and nerve the ]icart of the President 
ibr the great work to which God and the people have called 
him. For what worthier purposes can American citizens now 
assemble ? 



Er45S 



It is my fixed faith, gentlemen, that God does not mean 
that this American republic shall perish. We are tried as by 
fire, but our country will live. ^Xotwitlistandhio- all the violence 
and all the machinations of traitors and their sympathizers, on 
this or the other side of the Atlantic, our country will live. 

And Avhile our country lives, slavery, the chief source, and 
cause, and agent of our ills, will die. The friends of the Union 
in the South, before rebellion, predicted the destruction of 
slavery as a consequence of secession, if that . madness should 
prevail. iS^othing, in my judgment, is more certain than the 
fulfilment of these predictions. Safe in the States, before rebel- 
lion, from all Federal interference, slavery has come out from its 
shelter, under State constitutions and laws, to assail the national 
life. It will surely die, pierced by its own fangs and stings. 

AVliat matter now how it dies ? — whether as a consequence 
or object of the war, what matter? Is this a time to split hairs 
of logic ? To me it seems that Providence indicates clearly 
enough how the end of slavery must come. It comes in rebel 
slave states, by military order, decree or proclamation ; not to 
be disregarded or set aside in any event as a nullity. l)ut main- 
tained and executed with perfect good faith to all the enfran- 
chised ; and it will come in loyal slave states by the imcon- 
strained action of the people and their legislatures, aided freely 
and generously by their brethren of the free states. I may be 
mistaken in this, but if I am, another better way will be ]-c- 
vealed. 

Meantiuie, it seems to me very necessary to say distinctly 
what many yet shrink from saying. The American blacks must 
be called into this conflict — not as cattle, not now, even, as con- 
trabands, but as men. In the free states, and, by the proclama- 
tion, in the rebel states, they are free men. The Attorney- 



. ■Oeneral, in an opinion uhicli doties rclutation, lias pronounced 
^ these freemen citizens of the United States. Let, then, tlio ex- 
ample of .Vndi-ew Jackson, ^dio did not hesitate to oppose 
colored regiments to British invasion, he now fearlessly followed. 
Let these hlacks, accliiiiated, familiar Avith the country, capahle 
of great endurance, receive suitable military organization, and 
do their part. We need their good will, and must make them 
our friends bv showins; ourselves their friends. We niust have 
them for guides, for scouts, for all military service in camp or 
field for which they are qualified. Thus employed, from a bur- 
den they will become a support, and the hazards, privations, 
and labors of the M'hite soldiers will be proportionally dimin- 
ished. 

Some will object, of course. There are always objectors to 
everything practical. Let experience dispel honest fears, and. 
refute captious or disloyal cavil. 

Above all, gentlemen, let no doubt rest on our resolution 
to sustain, with all our hearts and with all our means, the sol- 
diers now in arms for the republic. Let their ranks be filled 
up ; let their supplies be sufficient and regular ; let their pay be 
sure. Let nothing be wanting to them which can ensure activity 
and efficiency. Let each brave officer and man realize that his 
country's love attends him, and that his country's hopes hang 
upon him ; and, inspired by this thought, let him dare and do 
all that is possible to be dared and done. 

So, gentlemen, with the blessing of God, will Ave make a 
glori(^;is future sure. I see it rising before me, how beautiful 
and grand ! There is not time to speak of it now ; but from all 
quarters of the land comes the voice of the sovereign people, 
rebuking faction, denouncing treason, and proclaiming the 



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indivisible unity of the republic ; and in this Heaven-inspired 
union of the people, for tlie sake of the Union, is the sure 
promise of that splendid Hereafter. 

"VVitli great respect, yours very trnly, 

S. P. CHASE. 
Hon. George Opdyke, 
George Griswold, Esq., 

a7id others^ 
Committee of the Loyal National League, 
New ITork. 



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